Mediamec Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says South Africans can expect to see a new type of driving licence card introduced in the near future, with government also laying the groundwork for a fully digital system linked to citizens’ identity documents in the long term.
The announcement follows a declaratory order by the Pretoria High Court, which set aside the appointment of Idemia as the preferred bidder for South Africa’s driving licence card printer tender. The ruling has prolonged uncertainty around the procurement of a new printing system, forcing the Department of Transport to pursue interim solutions.
South Africa currently relies on a single, ageing driving licence card printer that has been in operation since 1998. A report commissioned by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) revealed that the machine should have been replaced as far back as 2009.
The consequences of this outdated infrastructure became evident earlier this year when the printer broke down again in February 2025. It remained inoperable until May, creating a massive production backlog that peaked at nearly 750,000 outstanding cards.
Although the backlog has since been cleared, the disruption prompted the Department of Transport to act, particularly as the tender process for a new printer remains tied up in legal proceedings.
As an interim measure, the department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government Printing Works (GPW), which operates under the Home Affairs portfolio. The aim is for the GPW to temporarily take over the printing of driving licence cards.
Creecy initially hoped the GPW would be ready to print licences by October or November, but that target was missed. Speaking to 702 on Thursday, 8 January 2026, she explained that the main stumbling block was technical.
“It was quite a mission,” Creecy said, referring to the challenge of integrating the IT systems of the two departments.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Department of Transport confirmed that the necessary network connection is now in place, enabling the transfer of data and files required by the GPW to produce driving licence cards.
With the technical integration completed, Creecy said the next step would be to seek Cabinet approval for the new GPW-produced licence card.
“Early in the new year, we’ll go to Cabinet for approval on the prototype,” she told 702.
Beyond the interim physical card, government is also developing and testing a digital driving permit as part of a broader push toward digital identity systems.
“Driver’s licences are an important form of identification,” Creecy said. “We think it’s very important that there must be synergy between the driver’s licence database and the Home Affairs population register.”
She added that closer alignment between identity documents and driving licences is essential. “Secondly, we think there must be a much closer relationship between the identity document and the driver’s licence card.”
The longer-term vision, according to Creecy, is a complete transition to digital identity documents and driver’s permits.
In November, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi showcased a prototype digital driving licence at the Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit. Using a smartphone during his keynote address, Malatsi demonstrated how a digital licence renewal process could work in practice.
The demonstration formed part of the broader MyMzansi platform, which Malatsi announced in September. He said the platform is a key component of South Africa’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, launched in May 2025. That same month saw the establishment of the Digital Service Unit (DSU) in the Presidency, led by entrepreneur and investor Melvyn Lubega.
Despite the push toward digitisation, Creecy cautioned that the transition must be gradual and inclusive.
“Long term, the aim is to go digital and, in the long term, to move to one identity card,” she said. “However, in the short term, one’s got to think about the fact that many citizens are not yet digital-savvy.”
She noted that older South Africans, in particular, still value physical documents. “Older citizens like to feel that they have some kind of physical card,” Creecy said.
Another critical factor is law enforcement readiness. Creecy questioned whether all officers currently have the equipment needed to verify digital licences.
“You can’t move straight into digital documents because there could be unintended consequences in terms of both identification and law enforcement,” she warned.
For now, South Africans can expect a new interim driving licence card, while government continues to test and refine its vision of a fully digital, integrated identity system.
